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A 
True Story 

of 

Lawnside, N. J. 




Compiled by 
CHARLES C. SMILEY 



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p^]^^^]?^ifyg^ ^i?y^ i ^frtl rA-tlrA-tlfr^'i^'i'-^-«i^>^^^ 



A 
True Story 

of 

Lawnside, N. 



J- 




Compiled by 
CHARLES C. SMILEY 



Robert J. Wythe, Jr.. Printer. 625 Pearl St., Camden, N. J. 



,l4-S 



Co 




Charles C. Smiley 
Author 



DEC 12 '21 

^C!.A630775 

Copyright, 1921, by Charles C. Smiley 



'Vkt / 



INTRODUCTORY. 

The early events featured by colored people of this section cover 
a vast area. Their recorders were few. Both the churches here were 
circuits, extending from Camden to Blackwood, Cape May to Mt. 
Laurel. Some of the ancient names of towns I have not been able to 
locate or identify, probably passing out of existence, and new and more 
thriving places have succeeded them. When you shall have read the 
Story of Lawnside you will be anxious to know more and may ask 
questions to find out. So, before you ask a question, may I ask just 
one. It is in the language of our grammar school graduate — Did you 
pass? In the dread uncertainty that reigned before we were positively 
informed of our ratings we became acquainted with the twin spirits of 
Worry and Fear, and, oh, how they troubled us! But I have learned 
many things since that time — in high school they taught me "Lives of 
great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime," also "The 
heights which great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden 
flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in 
the night." 

The great every-day life taught me to learn one thing every day — 
the church lesson is to fear God and keep his commandments, for this 
is the whole duty of man. W^hen we review the record left by our 
predecessors, the question is vital to us all — Did you pass? Life is a 
school you pass through but once ; you may pass the same p'ace many 
times, but never with the same conditions or environments. Do you 
understand the question — Did you pass? Your home town may or 
may not be Lawnside, but have you helped to develop your home town 
in some way? The spirit of Lawnside is to "Play hard but fair." 
Note it in the children's games, in the civic and political organizations 
that do now or have existed. I repeat, as I understand Lawnside, the 
spirit of Lawnside is " Play hard but fair." Sometimes folks like to 
play hard, but ignore fair play ; sometimes folkes like fair play, but do 
not try hard to succeed, neither of which is the inherited Lawnside 
spirit. We have come from obscure darkness into this present light 
on this platform. Can we proceed or must we discontinue and indorse 
another? 

The geographical selection of our fathers was wonderful. We have 
a healthy place to live, plenty of water and very little marsh or low 
land ; convenient to the big cities, yet far enough away to be restful ; 
the soil is productive and fertile; the environments are endearing. All 
we need is a record of achievements of our predecessors. If you know 
of any of the persons mentioned, be inspired to help to honor their home 
town; if you do not know any of them after reading this slight record, 
be a true example of your people at home. I am obligated to and thank 
also do I appreciate the help given me by my mother. Amy L. Smiley; 
my aunts, Emerline Jackson and Francis Polk ; my uncle, Peter S. 

3 



Smiley; Messrs Josiah Still, William DeGraff, Sr., I. N. Bryant, S. A. 
Allen, Dr. Wallace McGeorge, Miss Sarah J. Quann, Rev. L. Y. Cox, 
the First Methodist Church of Haddonfield, N. J., and all who have 
helped me, even to a word of encouragement. I am endeavoring to 
show my appreciation of the achievements of my home town. I offer 
no apology, but of you, dear reader, foreman of the jury of public 
opinion, 1 plead "mercy" and beg a fair chance. 

CHARLES C. SMILEY. 



A True Story of Lawnside, N. J. 



GENERAL. 



Now, to make a story a true, interesting story we must understand 
the story. So let us all return to childhood for a short while ; let us 
make a mental picture of a big woods of large trees, like as Clementon 
Park and vicinity, only a much larger extension of trees and closer 
together. Now through this big woods let us have paths similar to 
those in Howell's woods, this side of Lawnside Station. If you are a 
stranger on those paths you may even get lost w'ithout a guide. Now, 
bring your two pictures together carefully, for unless you do you will 
miss a full understanding of this story. You must have a large woods, 
miles long, miles wide ; roads which you would call paths, the widest 
we will call "Ye Kings Highway" along which at a certain point a 
junction with the "Old Egg Harbor Road", now extinct, was made. 
From this point you must travel the Old Egg Harbor Road for three 
miles more or less and you come to a place named Free Haven. If you 
had never been there before you will have trouble to find the place — log 
cabins with small clearings cunningly concealed from the road. You 
may wish to know why so much secrecy about a place known as Free 
Haven. Well, it was a place of freedom to an oppressed people, so 
much so that they with thankful hearts called it Haven, and the secrecy 
was to conceal their habitation from the oppressors. This story is to 
deal with the progress of this place in its religious, social and civic 
development. 



RELIGIOUS. 



The basic or early religious training of this town was Methodist. 
About 1797, a class was organized either at the residence of Mrs. Beaten 
or at Mr. Joseph Pratts, who resided on farms in the vicinity of Green- 
land, now Magnolia and Free Haven. To organize a class w^as the 
first step in forming a church. This class developed into a church and 
this congregation built the first Methodist Meeting House in the vicinity 
in 1808. Its dimensions were 36 feet long, 25 feet wide, simply floored 
and enclosed ; no furniture except a few rough oaken benches, without 
backs; a rough stand like as a dry goods box for the preacher to speak 
from. This building stood on the site of Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church, 
facing Mould Road, and not Mansion Avenue, as the present church 
does. The white and colored people worshipped together until 1813, 
when there was a division. Mr. Samuel Barrett set aside an acre of 
land on the Evesham Road for church and cemetery purposes and in 

5 



1815 the white people built the First Methodist Church of Greenland, 
now Magnolia. This division did not stop here, but was extended to 
the colored brethern, causing them to divide. Rev. Richard Allen, the 
pastor of the church, declared the church independent and capable of 
ruling themselves, the minority claim being, if we are Christians we 
are all the same in Christ; ruling or government is second place. 

The division between the brethern gradually grew grave until a 
meeting was held and a vote taken. The early followers of the A. M. 
E. Church were called AUenites ; they won the contest which carried 
church and property, etc. Those opposed were without a church or 
place to worship ; they had nothing save their twelve in number. Rev. 
Richard Allen, pastor of our early church and Bethel, Philadelphia, Pa., 
became the first Bishop of the A. M. E. Church. 

The small group of members without a church was oversighted by 
John P. Curtis, a member of a class under John Hood, the first-class 
leader of Philadelphia, Pa., by appointment made by George Wooly, 
then on the Burlington circuit. Their financial plan was to start a 
sinking fund of two cents a week to purchase ground to build a church. 
Their congregation increased very soon to fifty, and in 1828 they weie 
able to purchase ground and build. 

On March 3, 1828, Joseph Jennings, of Waterford Township, 
Gloucester County, sold to the trustees of African Weslyn Methodist 
Episcopal Society, subordinate to Methodist Episcopal Church, Burling- 
ton circuit, a tract or parcel of ground. The names of the first trustees 
were: Sampson Morris, David Watson, Jacob James, Cubic Murray, 
David Wilson, Littleton Stevens, Arthur Boyer, 

The first church was a log cabin upon the hill where the parsonage 
is located, probably nearer the present Davis' Road. It was destroyed 
by fire in 1835. It was a small building, hurriedly built, with low ceil- 
ing. When tall men stood erect their heads were between the rafters. 

The second church of this congregation was in that hallowed spot 
now part of the cemetery, between those large trees. One of the pret- 
tiest oaks in this section of New Jersey stood at the rear of that church. 
Words cannot describe the emotion that fills one who knows this spot, 
but to some who do not know, you cannot feel that even strangers when 
they stand between the present church and the site of the second church 
are on Holy ground. There seems to be a wonderful peace here. We 
have seen those in trouble walk there ; we have known those who were 
loud spoken subdue their voices there — even the grass seems greener 
and richer. Enough for the spot of ground. What did the people do? 
We followed routine life here until August 23 to 27, 1852, when we 
sent representatives to meet other local preachers and laymen in Zoar 
M. E. Church, Fourth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia. This meet- 
ing was named Convention of the Colored Local Preachers and Laymen. 
Our representative was Isaac Hinson. The second meeting, June 28, 
1855, our representatives were: Isaac Hinson, John Brown, William 
P. Gibson, Edward J. Miller. A memorial was presented in regard to 
the formation of a conference of colored pastors from the Philadelphia 
and New Jersey Annual Conferences, in 1852. Now we have the con- 

6 



ditions from which the M. E. Delaware Annual Conference was organ- 
ized in 1864. 

In or near 1840 the first Sunday School was started in old Mt. 
Zion M. E. Church. This early Sunday School was on the order with 
day school — ^the ABC cards and spelling book were very important 
and it was a wonderful achievement to be able to read a Scripture 
verse ; the feat of memorizing a chapter in the Bible was great, almost 
similar to passing examination to enter High School today. Our fathers 
encouraged piety and reverence to God's Word. Mt. Zion's first Sun- 
day School superintendent was William Monroe. Mt. Pisgah A. M. 
E. Church soon followed with a Sunday School of her own in 1847. 
Her first Sunday School superintendent was Peter Mott. Originally 
both Sunday Schools were together. 



CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

There was built here, in 1859, a small Roman Catholic Church, on 
a lot donated for that purpose by James Diamond. The members came 
from all towns outside of Camden and Gloucester Cities. Burials were 
made at Gloucester. Semi-monthly services were held by clergmen from 
Camden and Gloucester Cities. There were nearly one hundred mem- 
bers. The two large maple trees across the street from G. Gross' store 
were in front of the church. This building was but recently torn down, 
after the congregation had moved to the Haddon Heights large and 
elegant building. 



IMPROVEMENTS. 

What became of these first buildings? The first church erected 
in 1808 was removed for the building of a new and larger one in 1868, 
which was at that time furnished with all modern conveniences and 
dedicated July 12, 1868. The old building being sold and bought that 
a private dwelling might be made from the lumber. Owing to a mis- 
understanding this plan was not immediately carried out, but a building 
was made and used as a place of worship, being nicknamed "Shoo Fly 
Church". Shoo Fly" being slang and used similar to our present day 
"Jazz". At this present day the building is a dwelling next to the new 
school property. The second church of Mt. Zion was used as a dwelling 
for pastor and sexton until 1892, when the present parsonage was built. 
Rev. Thomas Als being first pastor to reside in new parsonage. 

This sexton house, (old church) burned down about twenty-five 
years ago, at night, the late Mr. Frank Hall, being sexton and Rev. 
J. H. Winters, pastor at the time. The Catholic Church was sold to 
Mr. Henry D. Wilson, now deceased, who built a butcher shop and 
dwelling on the site of our present new school. The efficient way in 
which our fathers utilized buildings, does it not show economy? We 
are all ready to build new and larger churches. Who will be the 
first? Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. built and dedicated the building which is 

7 



now abandoned, July 12, 1868; Rev. John W. Stevenson, pastor; 
Benjamin Griffin, Robert Cooper, Daniel Williams, Christopher Smiley, 
Joseph Johnson, William Purnell, trustees. The ceremony was elaborate 
and befitted the largest church of that connection in New Jersey, Rev. 
John W. Stevenson was a builder of artistic taste. He built the French 
roof house in front of our school property as his residence. 

Mt. Zion M. E. Church followed close, for in the same year Bishop 
Edmund S. Janes, D.D., laid the corner stone for a new and larger 
church, which was also a memorable occasion. There were pictures of 
the Sunday School and trustees, (two separate pictures) some of which 
are still in the homes. The trustees were: Edward Still, Edward J. 
Miller, Louis White, Gilbert Shaw, William Gross, Charles Haney; 
Rev. Lewis Y. Cox, pastor. 

In 1872, the New Jersey Annual Conference of the A. M. E. 
Church was organized and Mt. Pisgah has always sustained a very high 
relation. 

In 1884, Mt. Zion M. E. Church, under pastorate of Rev. G. M. 
Landin, decided to improve their property by raising the building and 
having a basement, also making the building sixteen feet longer ; which 
was accomplished and paid in full in 1888, under Rev. B. W. Allen's 
administration. 

In 1887, Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church, under pastorate of Rev. 
C. C. Green, built the African Mission, now known as Mt. Pisgah A. 
M. E. Church, of Haddonfield, N. J., The next year, 1888, we built 
the parsonage at Mt. Pisgah, Snow Hill, N. J. In the year 1891, 
under Rev. Thomas Als, Mt. Zion M. E. Church built their present 
parsonage. At that time it was the finest parsonage in the Conference. 
A mission for school and religious services, building and lot at West- 
mont, N. J., was donated by Mr. Charles Rhoades, to Mt. Zion M. E. 
Church. Opening March 5, 1893, which was two weeks before Annual 
Conference. Rev. Als, having served four years, was removed and Rev. 
James H. Richardson begins a great revival — eighty-seven converts; also 
second largest Sunday School in the Conference. In 1894, Mt. Zion 
remodelled the front of the church and paid for all improvements. 
Organized Mispah Epworth League, Charter No. 12,788, June 15, 
1894, with twenty-three members. There is also a sadness in this year 
as it records the death of Sister Sarah Faucett, the first Deaconess 
recognized by the Delaware Annual Conference, and our sister. 

Mt. Zion has been trying to get ready to build a new church for 
a long while, but now, 1902, under Rev. W. J. Moore's pastorate 
seems a certainty. Reasons advanced : 

1. Building was too cold to worship in this winter. 

2. It is too insecure for safety. 

3. It was too small to accommodate the large congregations. 
The old building is torn down, the congregation worshipped tempo- 
rarily in the Catholic Church from September 28, 1902, to October 25, 
1903. The corner-stone was laid July 26, 1903. The lecture room being 
finished first, then there was a delay, finally being completed in 1905, a 
beautiful, modern building. Dedicated by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, D.D., 

8 



L.L.D., October 15.1905 ; Rev. Walter J. Moore, pastor. Alt. Pis^ah A. 
M. E. Church, in 1911, moved back her old building — did not destroy 
it — and put an imposing modern frame building, sixty by forty feet 
auditorium, to seat 500 persons; Rev. Isaac Horsey, pastor. 

In 1910, Mt. Zion M. E. Church raised $1000 on church indebted- 
ness, having obtained a loan 'of $3000 from Board of Home Mission 
and Church Extension under pastorate of Rev. M. V. Waters. In this 
same year Mt. Zion M. E. Sunday School paid off a debt of long stand- 
ing at the M. E. Book Room, 1018 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa., of 
$40.00. Charles C. Smiley, superintendent of Sunday School. In 1918, 
under pastorate of Rev. J. T. Wallace, the debt on Mt. Zion M. E. 
Church is paid in full. 

In the year 1911, there was much unrest in the church workers. 
The established churches were building and paying off indebtedness. 
Two new missions were started, St. Monica P. E. and a Baptist Mis- 
sion. The Baptist Mission divided and rid itself of undesirables and 
slowly developed into Grace Temple Baptist Church in 1914. They 
worshipped in the Good Samaritain Hall. In 1917 they laid their cor- 
ner stone and completed the church. Brother Joseph Johnson, a far- 
seeing man, is the one who mortgaged his home that this church might 
be established. His judgment has been justified. St. Monica received 
a wonderful start, but the support was soon withdrawn. 



PUBLIC SCHOOL. 

For over one hundred years there has been school in this town — 
when, where or who first started teaching, I do not know; but before 
there was a school house, different persons in different families taught 
children and adults for a small sum. The last one to do this was Mr. 
John Burlingham, who lived on the site of Mr. William Sadler's home, 
Phoenix Street, the old house being torn down. About 1848, a kindly 
and benevolent gentleman of Haddonfield, N. J., named Mr. Bougar, 
built a small frame school on Mott Street, for colored people to attend. 
This school was highly appreciated. The building has been enlarged 
and remodelled and is now the residence of Mrs. Alice Hall. Mr. John 
Blake was first teacher in this building. Mr. Samuel Sharpe was second. 
He owned a two-story home on that tract of ground known as the 
Diamond Tract, between Mt. Pisgah Church and G. Gross' store. He 
had in front of his property the first public pump and well in town, at 
the corner of Mou'd Road and Mnnsion Avenue. It is said he went 
to Liberia, Africa. Mr. Alfred Lawrence, the third teacher, was a 
scholar in his day. Children came from miles around, walking there 
and back. Many a real battle these children had, for they were not as 
intelligent as we are today ; neither were their enemies. Therefore, 
they must be courageous ; a cowardly child could not overcome the 
difficulties. Progress in school was slow, but thorough. Each scholar 
provided his own books and slate. Every child had to know the 
A B C's, forward, backward and skip-about — that is, one had to be 

9 



thoroughly acquainted with the twenty-six letters in the alphabet. The 
next step was spelling words of two letters each, such as — at, be, to, so, 
etc. Then came three-letter words and counting or learning the figures 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0. After this stage we are well qualified to do 
words of two syllables, and sums in arithmetic, such as — 2 and 2, equal 
4; 3 and 3, equal 6; 4 and 4, equal 8. Think seriously what our parents 
went through to learn what we today consider almost non-essential. 
Some, yes, almost all, never completed the spelling book; some learned 
to read well and do fractions in arthmetic. They were then qualified 
to teach, there being no teacher's examinations required. 

I will now name a few of the teachers who followed those I have 
mentioned in this old school building and the old hall: Mary Boyer 
Jackson, Mary Anderson, Edward J. Miller, George Miller, Mary 
Ann Gross. At another place I will give the names of all the teachers 
I can to the present day. Now I will name some as starting points for 
various achievements. The last teacher in this old school property was 
Anna Robinson White. She was also first teacher in the new or pres- 
ent school property (not present school building). She started teaching 
here about 1872 and taught four years with a great success. She had 
her scholars' interest at heart. She used an afternoon a week for sew- 
ing. A number of her scholars to this day call her blessed. With the 
transfer of the school to new and larger quarters, it was in order that 
the old school building be sold, and we find Charles Willitts, of Willitt's 
Corner, (now Harrington), very much interested in building new school 
and selling the old. Our next big teacher was Miss Anna Borican, who 
was here eight years, starting in 1888; very active in home life of com- 
munity ; an inspiration to scholars to help themselves. Through concerts 
and entertainments the school raised money and bought the school bell, 
which was raised in 1896. Mr. Charles Cooper, who was then the 
smallest scholar on the school records, was given the honor of first toll- 
ing the bell, while every scholar had a hand in raising the bell by pulling 
on the rope. We gave very good school closing exercises in the church. 
The names of the scholars passing examination were read ; those passing 
third grade received certificates of merit. We were sorry when this 
teacher left. She left money in fund for a school organ and fence. 
With the following teacher, Mr. Joseph Jackson, 1897, the School 
Board purchased all school books, etc. The school slate was not im- 
mediately removed. Under the guidance of Mr. Horace Owens, we 
purchased our school organ and developed our musical talents in 1900. 
This also represents the time when the new school building was erected 
to house the whole school, being four rooms. The old one had two 
rooms. The children came to school so fast that school soon became 
congested again, and in 1919 a large, new brick building was opened on 
Mansion Avenue, modernly equipped with four rooms and basement. 
Today we need a larger building for the children of today. Mr. J. 
Howard Jackson, one of our local j'oung men, has become principal 
and worked hard that we might have graduates such as other com- 
munities are having. It is hard to bring the parents and teachers to a 
mutual understanding of the value of the scholars' present and future, 
Mr. Samuel A. Allen, our present principal, is an able successor to Mr. 

10 



J. Howard Jackson, and from tlicir conihiiud efforts we have since 
1910 the following graduates living momuments of their untiring efforts: 



1010 
Charles Polk 

1911 
Leon White 
Laura Williams 
Eugene Williams 

1912 
Henrietta Faucett 
Rebecca Polk 
Norman Bryant 

1913 
Edna Cooper 
James Campbell 

1914 
Rhoda Still 
Irma Clay 
Hannah Williams 

1915 
Raymond Jackson 
Edward Hicks 
Irene Cooper 
Ruth Haney 
Lenard Benson 

1916 
Helen Shelton 
Walter Miller 
Parker Shelton 
Roseberry Clay 

1917 
Carlos Thomas 
Lawrence Wilson 
John Haney 



1918 

Jennie Williams 
James Thomas 
Geneva Still 

1919 

Warner Collins 
Alice Williams 
Maud Gibson 
Josephine Smith 

1920 

Rachel Authur 
Lewis Steward 
Charles Brown 
Quentin Still 
Randolph Wright 
Dorothy Sadler 

1921 

Roscoe Authur 
Horace Bryant 
Dorothy Clay 
Horace Gibson 
Agnes Haney 
Margarette Haney 
Samuel Jackson 
Elzie Jackson 
Anna Still 
Mary Turner 
Sarah Still 
Violet Whittington 
Clara Wright 
Eva Wright 
Viola Wright 



The 1921 Class hold the three highest averages in the district. 
Holders: Agnes Haney, Horace Bryant, Dorothy Clay. 



SNOW HILL INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. 

Between the years 1890 and 1900 there was an Industrial School 
here where boys were taught to mend shoes. It was opened in the 
Public School building and, as it increased, went to the Odd Fellows' 

11 



Hall, where shoes and harness were repaired, and chair caned ; also we 
made hammocks. The boys' department met on Saturdays. The names 
of the teachers were: 1st, Mr. Davis; 2nd, Mr. Shoemaker; 3rd, Mr. 
William Cooper. They served one at a time. On Thursdays the girls 
met to sew. Their teacher was Mrs. Carrie Sadler. The object was 
to make this school self-supporting. The articles made by the girls 
were sold ; and, shoes collected by boys, after being repaired, were sold 
at Mrs. Emerline Jackson's home. Repair work was done at a reduced 
rate. This school was the work of the Society of Friends, of H addon- 
field, N. J. The Directors were Samuel A. Bacon, Mary W. Bell, 
Mary Allen, Beulah M. Rhoades. Mrs. Fanny J. Coppin, Principal 
of the Institute for Colored Youths, of Philadelphia, Pa., lectured in 
Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church, Snow Hill, in the interest of this Indus- 
trial School, April 28, 1899. 



PATRIOTISM. 

There have been two great crises in the history of the United States 
in which the nation was threatened with dissolution or dismemberment. 
One was the period from the close of the war of Independence, in 1783, 
to the adoption of the National Constitution, in 1789. The National 
Constitution was ratified by a convention of the people of the State of 
New Jersey, December 18, 1787, being the third one of the eleven 
states to ratify. On September 13, 1788, Congress appointed days for 
the requisite elections and for the organization of the new government ; 
and on the fourth day of March, 1789, the old Continental Congress 
expired and the new National Government went into full operation. 
The second crisis was the Great Civil War of 1861-1865, when eleven 
Southern States threatened a forcible dissolution of the Union. 

What does the United States Flag mean to us? Well, let us make 
it a little more sacred and cherish it more fervently, for in 1863 there 
was not so many men in this town as now, yet when the President, 
Abraham Lincoln, made a call for men to fight to preserve the Nation 
and to liberate the American people from slavery, the colored from the 
bondage of slavery, the white from the stigma and shame of holding 
slaves, forty-six men from here went to the war and did service. The 
women and men that were too old for service prayed, worked and kept 
cheerful until God returned all our loved ones. Of those who made 
this sacrifice but five were left for Decoration Day, 1921 — Joseph 
Brewster, William DeGraff, Benjamin Franklin Faucett, John L. 
Stevens, Josiah Still. 

The names of those who I am telling you of are : 

Alexander Colv 
William DeGraff 
John Emory 
Benjamin F. Faucett 
Warner Gibbs 
12 



1. 


Andrew Beckett 


6. 


2. 


William Bolden 


7. 


3. 


Joseph Brewster 


8. 


4. 


George Brown 


9. 


5. 


Charles Chambers 


10. 



1 1. Joseph Gray 

12. William Green 

13. Charles Griffin 

14. Isaih Gross 

15. Abraham Groves 

16. Paul Hammond 

17. Henry Haney 

18. George Harrison 

19. Henry Hubert 

20. Alphonso Henry 

21. William Jackson 

22. John Lampkins 

23. Henry Leggitt 

24. Robert Monroe 

25. Cubic Moore 

26. Jacob Nutter 

27. Garrett Patten 

28. John Pennington 



29. William Pennington 

30. Henry Sadler 

31. Nelson Sadler 

32. John L. Stevens 
3i. George Shaw 

34. Joseph Shaw 

35. Timothy Shaw 

36. Charles Still 

37. Tosiah Still 

38. Anthony Till 

39. James Tillman 

40. Clinton Thomas 

41. John C. Williams 

42. Littleton Williams 

43. Isaih White 

44. Thomas White 

45. Aaron Wright 

46. Thomas Wright 



During the war with Germany, 1917-1918, there was a great sacri- 
fice in Lawnside. The ladies were organized into a Red Cross Chapter, 
which worked earnestly and well. Liberty Bonds were bought ; also heat- 
less, meatless and wheatless days were observed by all and strict economy 
was enforced. As in the old Civil War, so did the daughters of Lawn- 
side at this time march with the boys until they were entrained for 
camp. The day school children also formed a procession with flags. 
The encouraging council and prayers of the old folks went with our 
men and God saw it was well that all should come home again. Some 
are War Heroes ; all are better men. Their names, taken from the 
Roll of Honor on the Lawnside School property: 

Edgar Landin, 

Drum Major 
Eugene Landin 
Nelson M. Perkins 
William W. Perkins 
Charles Polk 
Charles Powell 
Donald Sadler 
Henry Sadler 
Joseph Sadler 
Winfield Sadler 
Nelson Shaw 
Archie Stewart 
Horace Still 
Walter Still 
Walter P. Still 
Edward Thomas 
Howard Thomas 
Lawrence Thomas 
13 



1. 


S. A. Allen, Corp. 


20. 


2. 


Thomas Allen, Jr. 




3. 


Elmer Bell 


21. 


4. 


Alvin Benson 


22. 


5. 


James Brown 


23. 


6. 


Edward Burnett, Navy 


24. 


7. 


Elmer Burnett, Navy 


25. 


8. 


John Burnett, Navy 


26. 


9. 


James Butler, Corp. 


27. 


10. 


James Campbell 


28. 


11. 


Leon Davis 


29. 


12. 


Herbert Farmer 


30. 


13. 


Alvin Gibbs 


31. 


14. 


Oscar Griffin 


32. 


15. 


Clarence Hill 


33. 


16. 


Armstead Hill 


34. 


17. 


James Jackson 


35. 


18. 


Albert Kenton 


36. 


19. 


Authur Kenton, Sergt. 


37. 



38. Livingston Thomas 43. Richard Williams, Capt. 

39. Royden Thomas, Sergt. 44. Eugene Williams 

40. William Watson 45. Frederick Wright 

41. Jacob C. White, Jr. 46. William Wright 

42. Leon A. White, Corp. 

In 1920 the G. A. R., Sons of Veterans, Post No. 29, of Philadel- 
phia, held their camp in our town; also on Sunday, October 17, 1920, 
they conducted a flag-raising at Mt. Zion M. E. Church, an inscribed 
shield on the flagpole commemorating this occasion. 



LODGES. 



One of Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church's pioneer pastors formed a 
local Beneficial Society named "Sons of Israel Scott." Israel Scott being 
the pastor, this society was nicknamed the "Never Dies." Some of the 
members lived to be real old men. We have evidence of this society, 
January 3, 1850, at which time they were very active. This lodge 
owned property, a two-story hall on the site of the present Odd Fellows' 
Hall. In 1866 their number was so small that they were unable to 
properly carry on their business. They discontinued and were made 
over into the G. U. O. of O. F., which lodge has taken over their 
property, etc. 

There was another local society that worked in harmony with the 
"Sons of Israel Scott", known as the Ebenezer Mann Beneficial Society, 
instituted 1842, composed of women. In the later years of this society, 
Mr. Edward J. Miller was secretary. It was disbanded February 5, 
1908. 

The third and last local society was Mt. Zion Beneficial Society, 
organized 1850. The date when discontinued is uncertain. 

These are our local pioneer lodges, existing here only and jealously 
have they guarded their doings, numbers, etc. 

"The Sons of Israel Scott" built the first hall here. I do not know 
their number of members. 

Daughters of Ebenezer Mann had a membership of twenty-two, in 
the year 1886. Mt. Zion Beneficial had a membership of thirty, in the 
year 1886. The St. Matthews Union Lodge, built Good Samaritain 
Hall in 1870. The Star of Liberty Lodge, built Odd Fellows' Hall in 
1882. 

Now I will introduce our present lodges and speak briefly of them. 

Star of Liberty, No. 1062, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows', 
was made by a lodge at Milford. N. J., and instituted March 9, 1862. 
They have twice remodelled their present hall, making it larger each 
time. 

St. Matthew's Union Lodge, No. 10, Independent Order Good 
Samaritains and Daughters of Samaria, was instituted October 7, 1852, 
and proved to be a very healthy organization, organizing the following 
branches to the order: Celestial Degree, No. 7, I. O. G. S. & D. S., 

14 



chartered July 24, 1866; Hebrew Juvenille, No. 7, I. O. G. S. & D. S., 
chartered May 30, 1867; Select Past Officers Degree Council, No. 2, 
I. O. G. S. & D. S., chartered May 30, 1877. St. Matthew's Union 
Lodge was incorporated, March 18, 1872. At their hall, which has 
twice been remodelled and is modestly equipped, ev^ery secret order of 
Lawnside save the Odd Fellows' and Household of Ruth, meet monthly. 

Household of Ruth, No. 69, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows', 
was chartered September 13, 1875, and is one of the oldest active in the 
State of New Jersey. The charter was reissued March 16, 1898. 
Charter members who are yet alive : Mary A. Moore, Francis Polk. 

Hiram Lodge, No. 5, F. A. M., instituted A. D., 1875, was the 
pioduct of an older organization of Masonics, who went from here to 
Kaighnsville, Newton Township, which is now a part of the City of 
Camden, known as Seventh, Ann, Sycamore, Kaighn Avenue and Chest- 
nut Streets, and assisted in forming Union Grand Lodge, April 29, 
A. L.. 5850— A. D. 1850. 

Grand Officers elected and installed : 

Littleton Williams R. W. Grand Master 

Benjamin Steward R. W. Deputy Grand Master 

Benjamin Griffin Senior Grand Warden 

Henry Elsbury Junior Grand Warden 

Clement C. Baynard Grand Treasurer 

James Staten Grand Secretary 

James Harper Grand Chaplain 

Ephraim Gould G. Master of Ceremonies 

Joseph Simmons Grand Sword Bearer 

Henry Catlin Grand Marshall 

Isaac Welsh Grand Pursuitvant 

James Green Grand Tyler 

Anthony Baynard } q^^^ j Stewards 

Jacob Doyer \ 

Geof.g^ Selby J q^.^,^^ Deacons 

William D. Brown ) 

The name of Lawnside's Lodge, Friendship, No. 5, organized 1848. 

Evening Star Lodge, No. 5, Knights of Pythians, was chartered 
July 7, 1902. 

Minerva Court of Calanthe, No. 4, K. of P., was chartered Febru- 
ary 28, 1918. 

Grace Temple, No. 56, Fishermen' of Galilee, G. W. O. of E. and 
W. H., was chartered January 29, 1921. Golden Rule, No. 18, Juvenile 
Fishermen of Galilee, G. W. O. of E. and W. H., was organized July 
26, 1921. 

We have this year organized the boys into Boy Scouts. Their 
members are increasing and they are making progress. 

On Wednesday, September 28, 1921, the girls first met in a 
Campfire movement. They are progressing. This is a big year in 
junior organization here. 

15 



SOCIETIES. 

From 1895 to 1900 there was a Loyal Temperance Legion Band 
of Hope, with a large membership of children. Mrs. Amy L. Smiley, 
Mrs. Emerline Jackson and Mrs. Mary B. Jackson were the instructors. 
They were members of the Women's Cliristian Temperance Union. 
They had no saloon in this town and never had one, so their work was 
to ward off all desire for a saloon. 

May 17, 1909, the first meeting held by Home Mutual Investment 
Company, in Odd Fellows' Hall, This company is incorporated under 
the State laws of New Jersey. Authorized capital stock, $25,000, par 
value of shares $5.00. 

There was formed and organized a Fire Company at Lawnside, 
N. J., titled "The Lawnside Fire Company, No. 1," which gave annual 
carnivals on the Home Mutual Investment Company's tract of land and 
raised money to erect the hall on the corner of Hodges and Mansion 
Avenues., cornerstone of which was laid Sunday, June 17, 1917, by 
Hiram Lodge, No. 5, F. A. M., of Lawnside, N. J. 

The Lawnside Mutual Building and Loan Association was incor- 
porated September, 1915, under the laws of State of New Jersey. 
IVIcets fourth Monday of each month in Odd Fellows' Hall. 



POLITICAL. 

After the Civil War there was a great migration. A large number 
from Snow Hill, Md., came here and called this place Snow Hill, which 
name was thereafter used, save in legal affairs, until the year 1907, when 
a petition was signed fixing a boundary and changing the name to cor- 
respond to the railroad station, Lawnside, N. J. 

There were a number of improvements and achievements made 
while we were under a dual name. 

We had, in 1884, a Blaine and Logan Republican Club, a political 
organization which afterwards changed its name to the Union Republi- 
can Association. They purchased a piece of ground and were making 
progress until internal misunderstandings caused its failure. Union 
Republican Association of Snow Hill, incorporated February 19, 1886. 



MUSICAL. 



Between 1885-1890 the young people here formed a double quartette 
named the "Stradella Musical Association." They gave opera and music 
of the better class and traveled and performed before large audiences. 
Their names were: Sadie Byard, Sallie Hamming, Mattie Polk, Louisa 
Hill, George H. Lewis, William Byard, Jolin Byard, Harry Hamming. 

There has been a Silver Leaf Fife and Drum Corps, also Alpha 
Brass Band during 1890-1900. 

The Ideal Orchestra, organized October 28, 1921, our latest musical 

16 



development, may equal or excel our previous orj^anizations. Their 
music is of the best. 

rioli /lists 
Nelson Warren Warner Collins 

Alfred B\ard Percy Branche 

riolin Cello 
William Vincent 

Conn/ists 
Everett Walton Roscoe Authur 

Druf/i//irr 
Alvin Warren 

Pianisf 
Lucille Walton 

Director 
Edward Walton 



POST OFFICE. 

There lived here an aged but suple man named Joseph Lewis, 
who was librarian of Mt. Zion M, E. Sunday School. Daily he carried 
a basket of fresh vegetables, eggs, etc., to Haddonfield, N. J., to sell. 
On returning he would stop at Haddonfield Post Office and get all mail 
for Snow Hill, being familiar witli the names of all residents. He would 
leave the mail at Peter S. Smiley 's Grocery Store, from which point it 
was distributed. In time this became inconvenient and inadequate, so 
in 1898, a Post Office was established at Snow Hill in the new Callis 
& Brown Store, Phoenix and Mansion Avenues., Mr. Albert C. Callis 
being first postmaster and Douglass Brown first carrier between Mag- 
nolia and Snow Hill Post Offices. The succeeding postmasters were 
Samuel Brown, Mary B. Jackson and Samuel Diton, under whose ad- 
ministration in 1907, the route and name of the Post Office was changed 
to Lawnside. The last postmaster, Ethel Roberts, was the first to locate 
on the present site. The location of the Post Office has changed five 
times. The carriers were John H. Brown, Alfred C. Brown, Hiram 
A. White, William DeGraff, Sr., James Campbell, Nelson Shaw, Wil- 
liam Polk and Percy Stewart. 



QUARANTINES 

In February, 1903, their was an epidemic of chicken pox which was 
diagnosed as small pox, and Snow Hill was quarantined. The folks 
could not go to Philadelphia or Haddonfield, etc., and return. On 
February 12, and indignation meeting was held in the Odd Fellows' 
Hall at Snow Hill to protest against the outrages that were being 

17 



perpetrated on the people of this village. In this meeting a Judicious 
Committee was appointed to secure the best authority that could be 
obtained on the diagnosing of diseases. Sewell Howard Hodges, chair- 
man of the committee, arranged and secured the services of Dr. J. 
Howard Ta^dor, Medical Inspector, Board of Health, of Philadelphia. 
On Sunday the 15th, Drs. Taylor and Mercer, of Philadelphia, and 
Wood, of Magnolia, examined all cases at Snow Hill and Harrington, 
and this is a copy of the written statement : 

To whom it may concern : 

This is to certify that 1 have personally examined all the cases of 
sickness at Snow Hill and Barrington, New Jersey, that were supposed 
to be Small Pox and am pleased to state that I did not find a single 
case of Small Pox among them. The sickness has been simply Chicken 
Pox. 

J. HOWARD TAYLOR, 
Medical Inspector, Board of Health, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Committee: 

S. H. Hodges, Chairman, Peter S. Smiley, Charles Sadler, John 
White, Aaron Sadler. 

The expenses were met by subscription by citizens of Snow Hill at 
following named meetings. Meetings held four — February 2, 12, 15, 
22, 1903. 

In 1916 a quarantine existed throughout this State and others be- 
cause of a severe baby disease, known as "Infantile Paralysis". Many 
babies have died, but there has been no cases in this village. 

In 1918 the Spanish (Flu) Influenza was the next great plague 
and many people died from this disease. But not any died here of it, 
there were many who had the sickness, but got well. 



DATA 



Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Sunday School was organized in 1847 — one 
teacher, four officers, forty-twcj pupils. Rev. Joshua Woodin, pastor; 
Peter Mott, superintendent. 

Mt. Zion M. E. Sunday School at organization of Conference of 
Colored Local Preachers, March, 1857— eight teachers, ninty-six schol- 
ars, fifty volumes of books. At organization of Delaware Annual M. E. 
Conference, 1863 — four Sunday Schools, twenty-four teachers, 220 
scholars, 867 volumes of books. (Delaware Conference, organized 
1864). Mt. Zion M. E. Church was incorporated January 19, 1892. 

Mansion Avenue, (Snow Hill Road), a gravel road between the 
White Horse Pike and Main Street, Haddonfield, N. J. Work of 
stoning this road was commenced in 1900 and finished December 18, 
1901. 

Electric lights were installed and lit for the first time in Lawnside, 
N. J., Tuesday, December 3, 1901. 

18 



Mt. Zion M. E. Congregation's last Sunday in old church, Septem- 
ber 21, 1902. First Sunday in new church, October 25, 1903. 

The first election held in Odd Fellows' Hall in the spring, March 
10, 1903. 

Mt. Pisgah A. M. Church installed electric lights July 24, 1903. 

George Williams and Herbert Still were young men who succeeded 
in purchasing Mt. Zion M. E. Church's bell in 1911. They were 
librarian and assistant librarian of the Sunday School while Charles C. 
Smiley was superintendent. Mr. Edward Walton presented maps and 
charts, also banners to Mt. Zion Sunday School. The Presbyterian 
Board of Publication, Society of Friends, of Haddonfield and friends 
of the Sunday School presented Mt. Zion Sunday School with books for 
their library. The superintendent presented thirty-six small chairs for 
beginner scholars. All these gifts were made during the administration 
of Charles C. Smiley as superintendent of Mt. Zion Sunday School. 

Mr. John C. Farmer, laid the cement walk and steps at Mt. Zion 
in 1911. 

Mr. Rutledge Miller interceded for and supervised the erection of 
the iron fence around Mt. Zion Church property in 1920. 

Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church was first church in this village to 
install an organ. Mrs. Phoebe Adams was first organist. Mrs. Ella 
Miller was Mt. Zion M. E. Church's first organist. 

Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Sunday School was the first to use the piano. 
Mr. Charles Gibson was first pianist. Mt. Zion M. E. Sunday School's 
first pianist was Mrs. Gertrude Walton. 

Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church was the first to install a pipe organ. 

Mt. Zion M. E. Sunday School was first to have Cradle Roll and 
Horne Department. 

Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Sunday School was first to be recognized as 
a nine-point Sunday School, by the Camden County Sunday School 
Association. 

Lawnside has three churches: Grace Temple Baptist, Mt. Zion M. 
E. and Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. ; three halls; Fire hall, Odd Fellows', 
Good Samaritain ; three cemeteries: Mt. Pisgah, Mt. Zion, Mt. Peace; 
also one private burial ground of the Mould family, which has not been 
used recently. 



NOTABLE VISITATIONS. 

Mt. Zion M. E. Sunday School, Mr. Horace J. Byrant, superin- 
tendent, with the influence of Mr. Edward Walton, at our Christmas 
exercises, December 28, 1914, had on display the original Conquest and 
American Flags loaned by the Presbyterian Board of Publication. These 
flags had been placed on Mar's Hill, outside of Jerusalem, during the 
World's Sunday School Convention. 

In 1921, Amahamea Milai, a native East Indian, high caste, an 
artist and preacher of Jesus Christ was here in the three churches, April 
18 to 21, 1921. 

19 



At the Public School Commencement, held in Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. 
Church 1921, Mr. J. Howard Johnson, Supervising Principal, presented 
this community with a copy of a historical transaction between the 
Menmonites and Friends in 1688, relating to the slave question. This 
copy is on exhibition at the Public School of Lawnside, N. J. 

The unwritten laws and customs of our fathers: 

1. Respect for Sunday; do only necessary work. 

2. De mortuis nil nisi bonum. 

(Say nothing of the dead but what is good). 

3. Respect for a death until after the funeral. 

It was quiet like as Sunday. 

4. Respect old age. 

5. A common interest in all children of the community. 

6. Respect for the marriage vow, which was considered 

sacred and lasting. 

7. A belief in the healing power of herbs and roots. 
9. A belief in work for all persons. 

10. A clean up for Decoration Day — that is, a clean yard, 

white-washed fences and trees ; then on Decoration 
Day a clean and decorated graveyard. 

11. An annual picnic, July 4th, with a display of flags. 

12. The Holy Bible, the United States Flag, the Pastor and 

the eldest of the family were reverenced and re- 
spected. 

13. Annual Sundays to go to the Mt. Evesham Mount 

and Wilmington, Delaware, August meeting. 

14. Annual Sunday School Walk, (picnic). 

15. Fidelity to fraternal obligations. 

16. Never leave a person in need without trying to help 

them. 

17. Investigate and examine all strangers. 

18. Never turn traitor on a fellow citizen. 

19. Defend our home institutions and try to improve on 

them. 

20. Fight hard, but fair. 

The names of some Pastors, Sunday School Superintendents and 
Public School Teachers : 

These lists are not in full, some of the dates and names could not 
be obtained : 

Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church Pasto's: 
(Not in routine) . 
Ebenezer Williams J. T. Diggs 

Isreal Scott F. S. Cox 

20 



Richard Allen J. V. Pierce. 1878 

Samuel Williams L. W. Gencrettec 

Joshua Woodlin J. V. Peyton 

Redmond Faucett, I860 J. H. C. Christmas 

T. A. V. Henrv, 1886 Strothers 

Robert Evans, 1861 D. S. Bayard 

C. C. Green, 1887 [. Horsey 

W. N. Bowman C. G. Collins 

H. H. Pinckney S. W. Morrishow 
G. M. Whitten 

Mt. Zion M. E. Church Pastors: 

(Not ill routine) . 

Tohn P. Curtis, 1828 G. M. Landin, 1884 

David Stevens, I860 B. W. Allen, 1889 

Isaac Hinson, 1855 Thomas S. Als, 1889-1893 

Joshua Brinklev James A. Richardson, 

Isaiah Broughton 1893-1895 

Tohn Manluff Jas. H. Winters, 1895-1898 

Noah Morris W. C. Dickerson, 1898-1900 

T. J. Lee W. F. Cotton, 1900-1901 

William Cole W. T- Moore, 1901-1910 

L. Y. Cox, 1868 M. V. Waters, 1910-1912 

John H. Pierce, 1878 P. M. Shelton, 1912-1918 

T. B. H. Coleman, 1883 J. T. Wallace, 1918— 

Grace Temple Baptist has had but one pastor — Rev. R. A. Johnson. 

Those who went from here to enter the ministry were: Isaac 

Hinson, King J. Still, William Polk, J. Howard Jackson, Haman 
B. Ward, James T. Moore. 

Those who entered the Christian ministr}' from Lawnsidc were 
true until death. 



REV. ISAAC HINSON 

Our first to enter conference was Rev. Isaac Hinson, a member 
of Mt. Zion, and lived in what is now the Borough of Audubon, 
N. J., on the White Horse Pike. In the early history of our 
churches here, they were both circuits. Uncle Isaac Hinson had 
charge of Mt. Zion circuit. His home being near, he was called to 
preach funerals, etc., for Mt. Pisgah members. He was well known 
and highly esteemed before the organization of the Delaware Con- 
ference. He died March 28, 1883, and was buried in Mt. Zion M. E. 
Cemetery. 

Rev. L. Y. Cox, in "Pioneer Footsteps," says: "Rev. Isaac Hinson, 
affectionately called Father Hinson by the members of the Conference 
and many other who knew him. Father Hinson traveled as a supply 
by a presiding elder sixteen years before the organization of the Dela- 
ware Conference ; was the first presiding elder appointed in the Dela- 
ware Conference at its first session in 1864, and was pastor of Zoar 

21 



Church, Philadelphia. Rev, Isaac Hinson, the first charter member 
of the Delaware Conference, departed this life March 28, 1883, in the 
eighty-fourth year of his age. He was born in Kent County, Md., in 
1799, and came to New Jersey in 1815, when about sixteen years of 
age, in pursuit of his freedom. He was converted to God when quite 
a young man and joined the M. E. Church. He was a good preacher 
and was often invited to preach for the white folks in their churches. 
He was the first preacher in charge of the Cape May Circuit, which at 
that time was a hundred miles long. He died in the full triumph of 
faith. He was beloved as a Christian father by many who knew him." 



REV. KING J. STILL. 

Rev. King J. Still, son of King and Eliza Still, was born at 
Fellowship, Burlington County, N. J. He was small stature, possessing 
a well-developed and progressive mind. He attended the public school 
to some extent, but his principal training was received in Mt. Zion 
Sunday School. He was converted very young. He was married in 
1881 to Miss Sarah E. Coffey, Rev. Wm. H. Coffey's sister. Brother 
Still served Mt. Zion as Sunday School superintendent, trustee and 
steward with credit before entering the Conference in 1881. His 
charges were Bridgeton Circuit, N. J., one and one-half years; Salem 
Circuit, N. J., two years; Lewis and Rehoboth Circuit, Del., two years; 
Snow Hill, Md., one year ; Haven Mission, Philadelphia, Pa., one 
year; Germantown, Pa., three months, from which place he was com- 
pelled to come home, owing to failing health. He was ordained Deacon 
at Wilmington, Del., in 1883, by Bishop Edward G. Andrews, D.D., 
L.L.D., and ordained Elder by Bishop Randolph S. Foster, D.D., 
L.L.D., at Salisbury, Md., in 1885. Buried in Mt. Zion M. E. 
Church Cemetery, July 27, 1888. 



REV. WILLIAM H. POLK. 

William H. Polk, Jr., was one of the brightest men to enter the 
ministry. He served Mt. Pisgah as Sunday School superintendent, 
during which time he instituted Old Folks' Day as a day to honor the 
aged of the community. He graduated from Institute for Colored 
Youths, of Philadelphia, Pa., June 30, 1886, and became a great educator 
in Maryland and Virginia. He graduated from Wilberforce University, 
Xenia, Ohio, as Bachelor of Divinity, June 15, 1893. Entered Ohio 
Conference of the A. M. E. Church. Died while crossing the Dela- 
ware River, when coming home on his first visit. Buried in Mt. Pisgah 
Cemetery. 



REV. HAMAN BRATCHELL WARD. 

Rev. Haman Bratchell Ward, son of Henry and Elizabeth Ward, 

97 



was born August 10, 1878, in Sassafras, Md. When seven years old 
his parents moved to Lawnside, N. J. His mother died two years 
later. He was hired to a farmer for board and clothes, attended school 
about five months in the year and did not get to church more than 
three times during his five years' stiHy with the farmer, God opened 
the way for him and he soon found himself in the friendly home of 
Mr. John L. Stevens, where he became very much interested in public 
school and Mt. Zion Church. He was converted in 1897. On Sunday, 
November 19, 1899, he had his trial sermon under Rev. W. C. Dicker- 
son's pastorate. In 1902 he entered Morgan College, Baltimore, Md. 
On October 10, 1905, he was married to Miss Hattie M. Welsh, of 
Woodbury, N. J. His first charge was Jericho, 1905, where he bought 
ground and built a church, had a revival and nineteen converts. In 
1907 the North Camden Church was attached to Jericho, forming the 
Woodbury Circuit. In 1910 he was appointed to the Fordsville Cir- 
cuit, where he reopened and remodelled the church at Friendship. 
In 1912 he was appointed to Bridgeton, N. J. He built a church here 
and had a revival, with twenty-three converts. On Friday, November 
22, 1914, the church was completed. On Sunday, November 24, he 
conducted the first service in the new church, which was one of the 
most spiritual meetings in the history of the organization. Brother 
Haman B. Ward died November 25, 1914, at Bridgeton, N. J. Services 
were held in the new church, Bridgeton, and Mt. Zion M. E. Church, 
Lawnside. Buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Dr. J. H. Scott, District 
Superintendent, conducted funeral services. 



REV. JAMES T. MOORE. 

James T. Moore, a member of Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church, was 
licensed to preach from some other church — that is, he was away from 
here when this noted event transpired. He became a member of the 
New Jersey Annual Conference of the A, M. E. Church and held 
several small charges before he died. (I have been unable to obtain a 
record of his work). He was buried in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. 



REV. J. HOWARD JACKSON. 

Rev. J. Howard Jackson, the only living representative of Lawn- 
side in the ministry, was principal of Lawnside Public School. He was 
also installed as superintendent of Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Sunday School, 
October 11, 1898. Mr. Jackson preached his trial sermon Sunday, 
June 18, 1899, at Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church. He is now an elder 
of the New Jersey Annual Conference of the A. M. E. Church. 

Superintendents of Mt. Pisgah Sunday School: 
{Not in routine) 
Peter Mott Spencer C. Moore 

23 



William Polk 
John Goodwin 
Peter S. Smiley 
John Jackson 
William H. Polk 



J. Howard Jackson 
George Thomas 
Peter Jackson 
James Cooper 
Charles Gibson 



Superintendents of Mt. Zion Sunday School 
{Not in routine) 

William Monroe 
Edward J. Miller 
Henry D. Wilson 
Albert C. Callis 
King J. Still 



Harrison Cornelius 
Aaron Sadler 
William M. Williams 
Laurence Landin 



Haman I^. Ward ' 
Thaddeus Miller 
G. M. Landin 
John H. Brown 
Ephraim J. Still 
Charles C. Smiley 
Horace J. Bryant 
Alvin Miller' 
Albert Johnson 



Superintendents of Grace Temple Baptist Sunday School: 

Lester Watkins William H. Bennett 

Public School teachers who taught at Lawnside : 



{Not 

Samuel Sharpe 
Alfred Laurence 
John Blake 
Mary Boyer Jackson 
Mary Anderson 
Edward J. Miller 
George Miller 
IVLiry A. Gross 
William Longfellow 
Ellen Blake 
Mr. Randolph 
John Jackson 
Emma Meritt Jackson 
Katie Butler 
Mary Parker 
Annie Miller Bryant 
Charles Moore 



-on tine) 

Charles Beemer 
Anna Robinson White 
Miss Chew 
Anna Borican 
Tamson Pierce Miller 
Miss Peyton 
Miss Davis 
Mr. Harris 
Jennie Barbosa 
Helen Brooks 
Mrs. Hamilton 
Horace Owens 
Ephraim Still 
Joseph Jackson 
Anna Miller Johnson 
Laura Williams Wright 
Henrietta Faucett 



PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, 1921-1922. 

Supervising Principal 
Mr. J. Howard Johnson 

Barrington, N. J. 

24 



Principal 
Samuel A. Allen 
Lawnside, N. J. 

First Grade 

Marie H. Trulear 

144 N. RedHeld St. 

Phila., Pa. 

Second Grade 

Bertha Payne Stubbs 

Lawnside, N. J. 



Third Grade 
Helen V. Branche 

727 Walnut St. 
Camden, N. J. 

Fourth Grade 

Bertha E. Manigault 

Magnolia, N. J. 

Fifth and Sixth Grade 

Celestine L. Truitt 

1809 Fitzwater St. 

Phila., Pa. 



Our folks who went from here to teach public schools: 
John H. Jackson Anna Miller 



J. Howard Jackson 
Joseph Jackson 
Clara L. Brown 
Ephraim J. Still 

Our Deacons and Local Preachers 

Ebenezer Mann 
Peter Mott 
Edward J. Miller 
John Brown 
William P. Gibson 
Stephen Thomas 
Charles Faucett 
Charles Authur 
Gilbert Shaw 

Deaconesses : 

Mary B. Jackson 
Elizabeth Thomas 



Annetta Miller 
Leah Miller 
Elizabeth Miller 
Henrietta Faucett 



Joseph Butler 
Charles Davis 
John H. Jackson 
William M. Williams, Sr. 
George Bodelv 
William M. Williams, Jr. 
Amos Still 
William Bowman 
William A. Moore 



Sarah Faucett 
Julia Ward 



Emerline Jackson 
Sunday School or Church Choristers: 



Joseph Jackson 
James Farmer 
George Thomas 
William H. Benson 



John C. Farmer 
James Cooper 
Charles Gibson 
Horace J. Bryant 



Vocal or Instrumental Music Teachers: 



Aaron Byard 
William Byard 
George H. Lewis 
John Goodwin 
Phoebe Adams 



Ella Miller 
George Thomas 
James Farmer 
John C. Farmer 
Lottie Harvey 



25 



Laura Anderson Morris Erma Clay 

Bella Hodges Edw. Walton 

Clara A. Brown 



BUSINESS. 



Most of our folks find occupation in agricultural pursuits, but 
some have gone into other professions. Let us name a few : 

COUNTRY STORE 

{lliesc persons used the same site) 

Charles Watkins Peter S. Smiley 

Jacob Nutter Anna Finer 

Littleton Williams George Gross 

Josiah Still W. Williams 

Levic Anderson Ethel Roberts 
G. Gross 

COUNTRY STORES 

{On different sites) 
Callis & Brown Sewell Hodges 

Laurence Landin Walter P. Still 

Mary McDonald 

SHOPS 

Ellen Blake Shedrick Selby 

Mary A. Sadler Jas. Walker 

Jimmie Diamond Jerry Chapman 

Catherine Murphy Chas. Still, Sr. 

John Walker Samuel Sharpe 

Isaac Jackson Isaac Williams 

Andrew Beckett Stephen Thomas 

Solomon Hubert Hannah McCauley 

U. G. Hicks Samuel Diton 

STORE, GARAGE and POOL PARLOR 
Edgar Kenton 

POOL ROOM and ICE CREAM PARLOR 

George Morris 

LUNCH and ICE CREAM PARLOR 
Georganna Manluff 

ICE CREAM PARLOR 

Francis A. White 

HOME-MADE BREAD 

Hannah Williams Amy L. Smiley 

Sarah J. Brown and daughter 

26 



BASKET MAKERS 

William DeGraft, I William DeGraft. II 

BARBERS 
William DeGraft Charles Cooper 

Samuel Diton Charles Benson 

Frederick Burnett 

SHOEMAKERS 

Wm. Loubar William O.uper 

Josiah Still Wilson Morehead 

I sham Lee 

DOCTORS OF MEDICINE 
Roscoe Moore ^^'^'^'' P^'^^ 

TRAINED NURSES 
Mary Stewart Bryson M. P. Whittington • 

Mrs. Le Mar 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 
George Thomas John C. Farmer 

Wm. M. Williams E. P. Reed 

G. M. Landin 

TAILOR 

Thomas Rivers 

CATERER 

Samuel Perkins 

SNOW HILL LAUNDRY 

Francis Polk, Mgr. Emerline Jackson 

Mary Anderson 

HOUSE PAINTERS 

Bobert Williams R^'l^^'-^ ^^^^"^"^^ 

Harrison Farmer, Bro. 

INTERIOR DECORATOR 

William H. Sadler 

HORSE CLIPPERS 

Walter Sadler Donald Sadler 

CONTRACTORS and BUILDERS 
Ed^vard T- Miller & Sons Thad. k William Miller 

Walter Miller Alvin Miller 

Joseph Miller 1, N. Bryant & Sons 

Peter Jackson & Sons 
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JOBBERS 

Littleton Williams Josiah Still 

William M. Williams Jos. Basset & Sam'l Money 

Samuel Brown 

CEMENT CONTRACTORS 
Emmett Rice Henry Morris 

James M. Cooper John C. Farmer 

LAWYER 

John W. Parks 



A number of our folks used to go to the seashore for the summer 
season, using the railroad to do so. The Camden and Atlantic Rail- 
road, chartered in New Jersey Legislature, March 19, 1852, was com- 
pleted. It was the first railroad to cross the State of New Jersey 1854. 
We went to Cooper's Point, Camden, and took a passenger freight 
train for economic reasons. Later the Philadelphia and Atlantic City 
Railway (narrow gauge) was chartered March 24, 1876, and ran their 
first train from Camden to Atlantic City July 1, 1877. It passed into 
the hands of receivers, and on September 20, 1883, was sold under 
foreclosure and reorganized with the word "Railway" in its title changed 
to "Railroad." It is now a part of the Reading route. The station 
here has been changed three times — Denton, Lawnton, Lawnside. 



UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. 

Now, in concluding my story, before bringing to you the History 
of Lawnside, I wish to impress on you the necessity of knowing these 
documents of national importance. I shall not take space to write 
them, 1 shall only recommend them to you. 

"Declaration of Independence" 

In Congress — Thursday, July 4, 1776 

The Constitution of the United States of America 

PREAMBLE 
"We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more 
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquillity, provide 
for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure 
the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and 
establish this Constitution for the United States of America." 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

The XIII, XIV, XV and XIX affect you personally and the 
citizens of the United States collectively. 

28 



XIII was ratified December 18, 1865. 

XIV was officially declared adopted in July, 1868. 

XV was finally declared adopted in March, 1870. 

The Secretary of State proclaims the ratification of the XIX 
Amendment and certifies its validity as a part of the United States 
Constitution. August 28, 1920. 

"the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United 
States or by any State on account of sex." That is all, but to obtain 
it required seventy years of activity by the women. 

The object in showing you the liberties exercised by our fore- 
parents, also their origin and development, is that you may be encouraged 
to greater achievements and hold sacred the memory of those who 
lived, worked and succeeded before your present activities began. Some 
we have named ; others may never be mentioned, but they helped make 
our present blessings possible. To them be Honor! Respect! Praise and 
commendation while any of their children live, and after their decease 
may strangers never cease to extol their virtues. 



HISTORY. 



Prior to 1492 the learned people thought this world was square 
and if you went beyond the horizon you would fall off into the unknown. 

There lived a man named Christopher Columbus, who believed 
the world to be round and by sailing west ships could reach India by 
a much shorter route than the one in use. Being an Italian, he first 
stated his case to Italy, but received no encouragement. He next 
traveled to Portugal, where he was heard but considered crazy. Finally 
he came to Spain, and the Queen Isabella, of Castile, became interested, 
pawned some of her jewelry and fitted up three ships for this adventure. 
Columbus started from Palos, in Southwestern Spain, August 3, 1492, 
and was 70 days at sea. On October 12, 1492, he discovered Guanahani, 
or Cat Island, which he named San Salvador (Holy Saviour) and 
took possession of in the name of Ferdinand and Isabella, sovereigns of 
Spain. Supposing he had only discovered the coast of India, he called 
the people "Indians," a name ever since very inappropriately applied 
to the early inhabitants of the Western Continent. But Christopher 
Columbus did not know he had discovered a new world. 

Another mariner sailed in 1497-1498 and explored the eastern coast 
of South America. He published a description of that vast continent, 
with maps, and in the honor of Amerigo Vespucius, a Florentine navi- 
gator, this new world was named America. 

The first permanent English settlement made in America was 
Jamestown, Va., 1607. 

A Dutch man-of-war came into the James River in 1619 and 
sold at Jamestown 20 negroes as slaves to the Colonists. 

England, Holland and Sweden each had a part in the discovery 
and colonization of New Jersey. The English claim of New Jersey 

29 



grew out of voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot, in 1497-1 4^8. Hol- 
land claimed Henry Hudson, on August 28, 1609, entered the mouth 
of the Delaware River, Zuydt (South) River and then sailed around 
to New York Bay and entered on the Hudson (North) River. The 
Swedes settled in what is now Swedesboro, Gloucester County. 

When New Netherlands was conquered by the English in 1664 
the territory between the Hudson and Delaware Rivers was granted 
to Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, named the province of 
New Jersey. Philip Carteret was the first governor. Lord John 
Berkeley, in 1674, sold his interest in New Jersey to some of the 
"Society of Friends," called "Quakers," who founded Salem. In 1676 
the province was divided, the Quakers obtaining Western New jersey 
and Carteret receiving Eastern New Jersey. In 1682 William Penn 
and others purchased Eastern New Jersey from the Carteret heirs and 
made Robert Barclay governor. 

King James H, in 1688, made Andros governor of the Jerseys, which 
marked the beginning of confusion until 1702, when East and West 
New Jersey were united as one royal province under the governor of 
New York. But, having its own legislature. New Jersey was entirely 
separated from New York in 1738 and Lewis Morris became governor. 

New Jersey, with the other English colonies, acknowledged the 
allegiance which the Colonists owed to the Crown of Great Britain, and, 
through the grant of "Magna Charta," they lay claim to all the inherent 
rights and liberties of natural born subjects within the Kingdom of 
Great Britain. 

"The Declaration of Rights," dated October 19, 1765, earnestly 
demanded that the Stamp Act and other obnoxious Parlimentary statutes 
should be repealed at once. This was not favorably received in England. 

From March 5, 1770, when Crispus Attucks, a runaway slave, the 
noble and fearless leader of a crowd of citizens of Boston, Mass., was 
shot down, the first to die for American liberty (there were three others 
who fell in this attack — Caldwell, Gray and Maverick — known in his- 
tory as the Boston Massacre) until November 30, 1782, at the peace 
of Versailles, when Great Britain acknowledged the Independence of 
the United States of North America, the Colonists fought for Inde- 
pendence. 

Now we have continent, country and state. Next we will consider 
county, township and village. 

At a meeting held at Arwamas (Gloucester Point) the proprietors, 
freeholders and inhabitants of the third and fourth tenths, on the 
twenty-sixth day of May, 1686, during the administration of Governor 
Samuel Jennings, after discussion and deliberation, adopted a consti- 
tution for the government of the territory between Pensauken Creek 
and Oldmans Creek, which they gave the name Gloucster County. An 
act of legislature was proposed to form a new county, in 1844, of 
the townships Camden, Waterford, Newton, Union, Delaware, Glou- 
cester and Washington, of the old Gloucester County. Camden County 
was formed 1846 and Camden is County seat. 

By legislative enactment, November 15, 1831, the township in 

30 



Gloucester County known as "Union" was formed. The people of 
this territory were in Union Township 24 years (until March 6, 1855) 
when Centre Township was created, bounded on north by H addon 
Township, northeast by Delaware Township, east by South Gloucester 
Township, southwest by Deptford Tow^nship, Gloucester County (being 
separated therefrom by Great Timber Creek), and on the west by City 
of Gloucester. The first annual town meeting was held at Mt. Ephraim 
March 14, 1855. 

Lawnside is situated on the tract of land know^n as the Dublin 
colony, on the third or Irish tenth. Western New Jersey. It was pur- 
chased of Edward Byllynge, of London, England, in 1677 by Francis 
Collins. Surveyed October, 1682. 

The date of the original settlement here is not known. Many 
events I have given in my story antedate the name of this village, 
showing a very active early settlement. I have used the name because 
the people must have a name to thoroughly understand a situation. 

Mr. Ralph Smith, an abolitionist living in Haddonfield, N. J., 
purchased a tract of land about 1840. He had Mr. William Watson 
survey it and lay it out in lots. These lots were sold cheap to colored 
people. This was the beginning of the village of Free Haven, whose 
streets (original) are named after the early settlers. Inducements were 
made to get the colored people to buy and develop the town. Mr. Jacob 
C. White, of Philadelphia, Pa., a colored dentist, became greatly 
interested in the early development of Free Haven ; he bought ground 
and enlarged on the original plan of the village. This village on Octo- 
ber 18, 1921, registered 606 legal voters for the fall election November 
8, 1921, second precinct. Centre Township. 

I have not told you all I know of Lawnside, but I will stop for a 
while, as I have discovered a great debt you owe. When I tell it, 
it will be a secret no longer. You are in the middle of it — 

Love your country 

Admire your state 

Commend your county 

Adore your home 

Be affectionate to your family 

Be kind to your neighbor 

is the debt every citizen owes 

Our Father w^hich art in Heaven, and our Uncle Sam, which is U. S. A. 



THEORY. 



My theory on the origin of the settlement called Snow Hill, Free 
Haven, and lastly, Lawnside, is that it was formed by slaves that were 
liberated by "Friends." 

The Friends owned Western New Jersey from March, 1673. 

The Friends are known to be slave abolitionists in the U. S. A. 
history. 

31 



The secrecy of origin and of the unnamed settlement was meant 
for safety. 



SNOW HILL, FREE HAVEN, LAWNSIDE. 
HISTORICAL CLAIMS. 

1 — A part of John Hillman estate and tavern, 1697-1720. 

2 — The oldest Methodist Church in Camden County, organized 1797; 
first meeting house, built 1808. 

3 — The first church to be built on the White Horse Pike (1828). 

4 — The first town where all the churches (3) work in unison, holding 
union meetings. ; all the Sunday Schools going on excursions same 
time and place, August 5, 1921 ; giving picnic and annual treat, 
September 1, 1921; the church officials holding joint week meet- 
ings. 

5 — The oldest colored town in New Jersey, probably dating back to 
early liberated slaves of Friends of this section. 

6 — The oldest school building built for colored children (1848) in 
Camden County. 

7 — A higher average of old lodges working than any town our size 
in Camden County. 

8 — The first post office in New Jersey to have four colored postmasters. 

9 — The first fire hall in Camden County to be built by colored people 
(1917). 



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LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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